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Single Idea 20221
[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 2. Aims of Definition
]
Full Idea
Precision is but one virtue of a definition, one that must be balanced against simplicity, elegance, conciseness, theoretical illumination, and practical usefulness.
Gist of Idea
Precision is only one of the virtues of a good definition
Source
Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], III 2.1)
Book Ref
Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.266
A Reaction
Illumination looks like the dream virtue for a good definition. Otherwise it is just ticked as accurate and stowed away. 'True justified belief' is a very illuminating definition of knowledge - if it is right. But it's not very precise.
The
19 ideas
with the same theme
[what a definition is trying to achieve]:
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16125
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To reveal a nature, divide down, and strip away what it has in common with other things
[Plato]
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16124
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No one wants to define 'weaving' just for the sake of weaving
[Plato]
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17237
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Definitions of things that are caused must express their manner of generation
[Hobbes]
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16541
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All the intrinsic properties of a thing should be deducible from its definition
[Spinoza]
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5618
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Definitions exhibit the exhaustive concept of a thing within its boundaries
[Kant]
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18261
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A simplification which is complete constitutes a definition
[Kant]
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13886
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Later Frege held that definitions must fix a function's value for every possible argument
[Frege, by Wright,C]
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9821
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A definition need not capture the sense of an expression - just get the reference right
[Frege, by Dummett]
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8368
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A correct definition is what can be substituted without loss of meaning
[Ducasse]
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4955
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Some definitions aim to fix a reference rather than give a meaning
[Kripke]
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15527
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Defining terms either enables elimination, or shows that they don't require elimination
[Lewis]
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11225
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A definition needs to apply to the same object across possible worlds
[Gupta]
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11227
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The 'revision theory' says that definitions are rules for improving output
[Gupta]
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17774
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Definitions make our intuitions mathematically useful
[Mayberry]
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20221
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Precision is only one of the virtues of a good definition
[Zagzebski]
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10528
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Definitions concern how we should speak, not how things are
[Fine,K]
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9641
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Definitions should be replaceable by primitives, and should not be creative
[Brown,JR]
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15352
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A definition should allow the defined term to be eliminated
[Horsten]
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16292
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An explicit definition enables the elimination of what is defined
[Halbach]
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